I was disappointed, and slightly surprised, to read this week that both Prince William and his bride-to-be Kate Middleton have attended pre-wedding celebrations — stag night and hen night respectively — more than a month before the big day.

When did this curious practice begin? In my youth, indeed until quite recently, these events were always held the night before the wedding ceremony. Part of the fun was to see if the bridegroom could be prevented from making it to the altar. At the very least it was to be hoped he might get there with his face matching the hue of the bride’s dress.

Of course, one would hardly expect this sort of thing from the heir to the throne. But could he not have respected tradition, and yet stayed sober?

Perhaps the early stag was held in order to permit precisely the opposite. The Times reported that a session of quad biking at the secret party location — thought likely to have been an estate in Norfolk — was followed by some “serious drinking”.

While I am the last who should be tut-tutting about such things, I wonder what example ‘serious drinking’ sets to the youth of Britain.

The Telegraph, meanwhile, reported the opinion of Kate’s pals that she was not a big fan of wine. “She would get giggly after a few glasses,” said one.

A few glasses! According to the spoilsports eager to lecture us on these matters this is more than enough to make her a binge drinker.